Usufrutos

A usufruto, in legal terms, refers to a real right that grants a person the use and enjoyment of another person's property for a specified period, without altering its substance. The person who holds this right is known as the usufructuary, while the owner of the property is called the naked owner. The usufructuary has the right to derive all benefits from the property, whether it be fruits, profits, or any other advantage, as long as they do not damage or destroy the property itself.

The creation of a usufruto can occur through various means, such as a contract, a will, or by operation of law. It is typically established for a defined period, often for the lifetime of the usufructuary or a set number of years. Upon the termination of the usufruto, the property reverts to the naked owner in its original state, subject to any improvements made by the usufructuary that do not alter its substance.

The usufructuary has certain obligations, including the duty to maintain the property in good condition, pay for ordinary repairs and taxes, and act with the diligence of a prudent administrator. The naked owner retains the right to dispose of the property, but this does not affect the usufructuary's right of use and enjoyment during the established term. Usufrutos are common in civil law jurisdictions and are often used in estate planning or as a means of providing for a beneficiary's financial support.